Cimav

What Cimav does

CIMAV (Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados, S.C.) is a Mexican public research institution founded in 1994 and coordinated by the Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (Secihti), one of 26 Centros Públicos de Investigación in the federal science system. It conducts research, technological development, and graduate training across four domains: materials science (metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and composite materials), nanotechnology, environmental science and technology, and renewable energy. Operations span four locations in Chihuahua (headquarters), Monterrey, Durango, and Ciudad Juárez, anchored by the National Nanotechnology Laboratory (Lan nano) equipped with HRTEM, STEM, SEM, AFM, Raman spectroscopy, and FIB instrumentation.

The institution's commercial offering is delivered through the Vinculación Tecnológica division and includes fee-based laboratory services (materials characterization, corrosion testing, chemical analysis under Nadcap accreditation), contract R&D with industry, patent services, inspection services, and continuing-education programs such as the annual Microscopy School and Summer Scientific Research Program. It also operates Master's and Doctoral programs in Materials Science, Environmental Science and Technology, and Nanotechnology, with a double-degree pathway through Queen Mary University of London.

CIMAV is funded primarily through federal government appropriations channeled via Secihti, supplemented by earned income from laboratory services, contract research with industrial clients (aerospace manufacturers via Nadcap, the CLUMIN mining cluster, CANACINTRA manufacturers), and graduate education supported by CONACYT/Secihti scholarships. Governance includes CANACINTRA as a founding partner. Current Director General is Dra. Leticia M. Torres Guerra, ratified in December 2024.

Name

Cimav

Legal name

Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados, S.C.

Website

https://cimav.edu.mx

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

CIMAV is a Mexican federal public research institution founded in 1994 and coordinated by Secihti, conducting research and graduate training in materials science, nanotechnology, energy, and environment, and serving industry, academia, and government through laboratory services, contract R&D, and patent services across four Mexican sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Materials Science Research Services

NAICS

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF)

Keywords

• Materials science research
• Nanotechnology research
• Environmental science research
• Materials characterization services
• Postgraduate research programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chihuahua

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Funding: Cimav is a public research institution coordinated by Secihti (Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación), receiving government funding for research activities
2. Laboratory Services: Fee-based laboratory services offered to industry and academic institutions for materials testing, characterization, and analysis
3. Industry Research Projects: Contract research and development projects with private sector companies
4. Graduate Education: Postgraduate programs including CONACYT scholarships for students

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cimav is a public research institution that conducts scientific research and technological development in advanced materials, energy, environment, and nanotechnology. It sells postgraduate academic programs (Master's and Doctoral degrees), fee-based laboratory characterization and testing services, technology transfer consulting, patent services, and specialized training (including an annual Microscopy School) to industrial, academic, and government clients.

Product overview

Cimav (Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados) is a public research institution organized by the Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (Secihti). Its portfolio consists of three main pillars: (1) postgraduate education programs including Master's and Doctoral degrees in Materials Science, Environmental Science and Technology, and Nanotechnology; (2) laboratory and testing services for materials characterization and analysis; and (3) technological linkage services including consulting, patent services, and specialized training. The institution operates a microscopy school (Escuela de Microscopía) and a summer research program (Verano de la Investigación Científica). Optional dual-degree programs are available in partnership with international universities such as Queen Mary University of London.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Maestría en Ciencia de Materiales Master's degree program in Materials Science offering multidisciplinary training in synthesis, processing, structure, and properties of materials; available with an optional dual-degree with Queen Mary University of London. Targeted at graduate students pursuing careers in materials science.
• Doctorado en Ciencia de Materiales Doctoral program focused on metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and composite/functional materials, training researchers with scientific independence. Targeted at doctoral candidates in materials science.
• Doctorado en Nanotecnología Doctoral program in Nanotechnology covering nanoparticles, nanostructures, nanomaterials, nanocomposites, and computational simulation for solving scientific and technological problems. Targeted at doctoral candidates in nanotechnology.
• Doctorado en Ciencia y Tecnología Ambiental Doctoral program in Environmental Science and Technology training researchers capable of generating frontier knowledge and transferring it to productive, social, and public sectors with ethical and sustainable values; available with a dual-degree with Universitat de les Illes Balears. Targeted at doctoral candidates in environmental science.
• Maestría en Ciencia y Tecnología Ambiental Master's program in Environmental Science and Technology focused on training professionals capable of addressing environmental and energy challenges. Targeted at graduate students pursuing careers in environmental science.
• Servicios de Laboratorio Fee-based technical laboratory services including testing, characterization, and analysis capabilities for materials science, nanotechnology, and environmental applications. Includes Nadcap-accredited Corrosion and Protection and Chemical Analysis services for aerospace industry clients. Targeted at industrial and academic clients requiring specialized materials testing.
• Vinculación Tecnológica (Consultoría y Servicios Tecnológicos) Technological linkage services providing solutions to productive, academic, and social sectors through services, advice, consultations, and technological development projects. Includes contract R&D projects with industry. Targeted at industrial companies, academic institutions, and government agencies.
• Servicios de Patentamiento Patent services including intellectual property management and patent portfolio administration for technologies developed at CIMAV. Targeted at researchers, inventors, and industry partners seeking IP protection and commercialization support.
• Educación Continua y Capacitación Especializada Continuing education and specialized training programs including technical workshops and professional development courses. Targeted at working professionals and organizations seeking specialized scientific and technical training.
• Escuela de Microscopía Annual microscopy school offering courses in electron microscopy (HRTEM, STEM, SEM), optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, focused ion beam, and AI-assisted image processing. Targeted at students, researchers, and industry professionals seeking advanced microscopy training.
• Verano de la Investigación Científica Annual summer research program in which undergraduate students participate in scientific projects under the supervision of CIMAV researchers. Targeted at undergraduate students from Mexican and international universities seeking research experience.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Queen Mary University of LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2020Double degree program for Maestría en Ciencia de Materiales; students complete first year at Cimav and second year (12-month research project) at QMUL in London; agreement signed October 16, 2020, valid for 5 years
• Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDouble degree program for Doctorado en Ciencia y Tecnología Ambiental; students can obtain degrees from both institutions; relationship established through academic agreements
• CLUMIN - Clúster MineromajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned August 2018; collaboration for R&D projects, technological services, and training for mining industry; joint workshop activities
• CIATEQ A.C.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAugust 2018 workshop and partnership; collaboration in technology and innovation development with mining sector focus
• Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic academic partner in NoBI-Norte (Binational Innovation Node); one of 5 strategic partners in the node led by Cimav
• CIATEJ - Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de JaliscomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in NoBI-Norte innovation node
• CIQA - Centro de Investigación en Química AplicadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in NoBI-Norte innovation node
• CVT-CAINTRA - Centro de Vinculación Tecnológica de CAINTRAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in NoBI-Norte innovation node for technology commercialization
• CGIE - Centro Global de Innovación y Emprendimiento, Universidad de Texas en AustinmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in NoBI-Norte innovation node; provides US market access and I-Corps methodology training
• Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus ChihuahuamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConvenio signed August 2024 to promote technological development
• Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad JuárezmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration agreement signed August 2024 for academic and research cooperation
• Instituto Tecnológico de Durango (ITD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenewed agreement July 2025 for technical and scientific training; relationship maintained since 2018
• Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (UACh)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research activities including joint microscopy school and research jornadas
• CONACYT / SecihticoreOthersCimav is one of 26 public research institutions coordinated by the federal science ministry
• CIDEFAM-SEDENA (Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo del Ejército y Fuerza Aérea Mexicanos)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJune 2018 meeting to identify common collaborations and expand inter-institutional work in military science, engineering, and biomedical sciences
• CANACINTRA - Cámara Nacional de la Industria de Transformación, Chihuahua delegationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of Cimav; July 2018 council session held at Cimav facilities
• Universidad de AntioquiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeptember 2019 General Collaboration Agreement signed for academic cooperation
• Universidad de Nuevo México (UNM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJune 2019 collaboration agreement for academic and research exchange
• Universidad de Texas en El Paso (UTEP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration including working meetings and facility visits

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Battelle Memorial Institute: Major nonprofit applied research organization operating national-laboratory work; comparable in mixing government-funded research, contract R&D for industry, and STEM talent development but at substantially larger scale.
• SRI International: Large US-based nonprofit contract research organization offering multidisciplinary R&D, advanced materials work, and graduate-adjacent training — a broader-scale analogue of CIMAV's combined research-and-workforce-development mission.

Emerging players

• Tecnológico de Monterrey: Large Mexican private university with growing applied research and innovation programs that compete with CIMAV for industry R&D partnerships and graduate-level STEM talent in northern Mexico.

Direct peers

• INAOE - Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica: Another SECIHTI-coordinated national research center in Mexico with overlapping optics, materials, and electronics research, plus graduate education and industry collaboration activities.
• CIQA - Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada: Mexican public research center focused on applied chemistry, polymers, and materials; like CIMAV, it is a SECIHTI-coordinated CPI offering graduate programs, lab services, and industry R&D collaboration.
• CIMAT - Centro de Investigación en Matemáticas: SECIHTI-coordinated public research center with the same graduate-program-plus-applied-research model as CIMAV, though focused on mathematics and computational sciences rather than materials.
• CIATEQ - Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Querétaro: Mexican public research center co-coordinated by SECIHTI that delivers applied technology R&D, specialized training, and industrial services, mirroring CIMAV's three-pillar model of research, graduate education, and technology transfer.
• UNAM Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales (IIM): National autonomous university's materials science research institute; competes with CIMAV for graduate students, SNI talent, and government research funding in the same advanced materials domain.
• CIATEJ - Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco: Fellow SECIHTI-coordinated research center in western Mexico with overlapping food/industrial biotech and applied science mandates; it provides comparable graduate education, lab services, and technology transfer to industry.
• CINVESTAV - Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN: Major Mexican public research and graduate education system; comparable in combining postgraduate teaching with applied scientific research and technology transfer across multiple disciplines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cimav
• YouTubeyoutube.com/cimav
• Facebookfacebook.com/cimav
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cimavmx
• Instagraminstagram.com/cimav.mx

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Cimav